ld like to do it."

Then he shrank back as if he had been struck, for the sinister scoundrel
shouted loudly,--

"Ahoy there! Now, then out you come. I can see you hiding."

CHAPTER THIRTY.

A DETERMINED ENEMY.

Don drew a long breath and took a step forward to march out and give
himself up, but Jem's hands clasped him round, a pair of lips were
placed to his ear, and the yard-man's voice whispered,--

"Stand fast. All sham. He can't see."

Don paused, wondering, and watched the dark figure in the entrance to
the cave, without dismay now, till, to his surprise, the man began to
whistle softly.

"Likely place too," he muttered. "Are you coming up here, sir?"

"What is it?"

"Likely looking cave, sir; runs right in; looks as if they might be
hiding in here."

There was a rattling and rustling of stones and growth, and then the man
at the entrance stooped down and held out his hands to assist some one
to ascend, the result being that the broad heavy figure of Bosun Jones
came into view.

"Not likely to be here, my lad, even if they were in hiding; but this is
a wild goose chase. They're dead as dead."

"P'r'aps so, sir; but I think they're in hiding somewhere. Praps here."

"Humph! No. Poor fellows, they were drowned."

"No, sir, I don't think it," said Ramsden. "Those niggers looked as if
they knew something, and that tattooed fellow who has run away from
Norfolk Island has encouraged them to desert. As like as not they may
be in here listening to all I say."

"Well then, go in and fetch them out," said the boatswain. "You can go
in while I have a rest."

Don's heart beat fast at those words, for he heard a loud hissing sound
beside him, caused by Jem drawing in his breath; and the next moment, as
he held his arm, he felt a thrill, for it seemed as if Jem's muscles had
tightened up suddenly.

Then there was a hot breath upon his cheek, and a tickling sensation in
his ear beyond; Jem's lips seemed to settle themselves against it, and
the tickling sensation was renewed, as Jem whispered,--

"I've cleared my decks for action, Mas' Don. It was that beggar as told
on us. You stand aside when he comes on."

Don twisted his head round, caught Jem by the shoulder, and favoured him
with the same buzzing sensation as he whispered,--

"What are you going to do?"

Jem re-applied his lips to Don's ear.

"I'm going to make him very sorry he ever come to sea. Once I gets hold
of him I'll